'Tis the Season to give to the health of the Rouge Watershed

'Tis the Season to give to the health of the Rouge Watershed

Our annual Year End Appeal has begun. We offer many ways to donate in this season of giving. We ask you to consider us on your list of “who’s been good”! We are so grateful to all who give to the health of the Rouge Watershed.

Join our Winter Stonefly Search January 26

Join our Winter Stonefly Search January 26

We invite you to come along and hunt bugs with us! No prior experience is necessary but PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. We need your eyes, hands, and boots on the ground! January 26, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., meet at PARC.

Members invited to VOTE for board candidates

Members invited to VOTE for board candidates

It’s that time of year again! As a dues paying member, you choose who represents the Friends of the Rouge by exercising your right to VOTE. Any FOTR member in good standing is entitled to one vote in person at the meeting or by proxy.

Recent News

To the Rescue!

Friends of the Rouge

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS: Doing anything on Wednesday evening? Come to our free workshop! We have four spots available. We'll show you around the Earth Force Process and give you an Educator's Guide. Deadline to register Dec 18. More info & registration: therouge.org/rep-training-workshops/... See MoreSee Less

Bellagio vs the Rouge RiverThe Bellagio Banquet and Conference Center (W.Warren - Telegraph, Dearborn Heights) had an Agreement to construct a parking lot on land behind their facility partially on land formerly owned by Wayne County (salt dome), but DHs was threatened by a WC Judge, not to interfere, Wayne County and MI DEQ failed to inspect and enforce the Agreement, so a steep slope (sledding hill for cars) was constructed, until my photographs appeared on my fb page and I asked questions.It appeared that Edward Hines Park and the Rouge River were endangered by the construction.If you want to see more photographs and part of the story that is still now unfolding...go toDavid Malhalab fbBellagio Banquet and Conference Center....post ... See MoreSee Less

Our Services

Friends of the Rouge in ACTION

Rouge Rescue

Rouge Education Project

River Restoration

River Monitoring

Rouge River Water Trail

Our annual river clean up

Starting in 1986, volunteers removed large quantities of trash from the river. As sites improved, public perception shifted from the river as an open sewer and a place to dump trash to its restoration, including invasive plants removal, installation of native plantings, and stabilization of stream banks.

School-based environmental education

We involve elementary, middle, and high schools from across southeastern Michigan. Students learn about the Rouge River in class, and then perform hands-on scientific exploration of the river on a field trip to its banks. They are encouraged to take action to restore and protect the river.

How we care for the land

How we care for the land impacts water quality in our local lakes and rivers. The River Restoration program teaches residents of the watershed how to manage their land to improve water quality and to provide wildlife habitat through hands-on projects and educational events.

Residents become citizen scientists

This program engages residents to become citizen scientists, collecting data about the health of the watershed through biological indicator species (bugs, frogs, fish, etc.) that reflect the long-term health of the watershed. As water quality improves, bugs frogs and fish are returning.

Along 25 miles of the Lower Rouge

FOTR is currently working with local partners to develop a water trail on 25 miles of the Lower Rouge from Canton to the Detroit River. Much of the river corridor is protected within Wayne County Parks, making it ideal for the development of launches and amenities.

Volunteer to Make a Difference

Friends of the Rouge began as a volunteer organization, so volunteerism sits at the core of mission to serve the Rouge River watershed.

Become a Member

Be part of the legacy. Support the vital work we do by helping us meet critical milestones for programs that make a lasting impact of the Rouge River watershed’s health.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Get involved! Support our diverse programs through sponsorships that have the power to make real and lasting change for the health of the Rouge River watershed!

Networking to Build Community

Our community stakeholders, partners, and alliances make our watershed healthier! Thank you to all who make a difference by caring about the Rouge River.

Financial Transparency

We adhere to all federal and state regulations, produce annual financial audits, submit all reporting documents in a timely manner with clear accounting methods and record keeping.

FAQs

Curious about something in the Rouge? We may already have an answer to commonly asked questions regarding our organization or the watershed. Check out our FAQs HERE.

Voices for the Rouge

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Any chance that we have to expose our students to science in the world outside of our classrooms is an opportunity to expose them to new passions. We know that days like this have the potential to change the trajectory of a student’s life.

We’re all connected to our environment, whether we realize it or not. I am making a difference by educating myself, and educating others, that our actions and attitudes affect the habitats around us. I am always proud to tell them that the Rouge is much improved over the past decade, thanks to the collective efforts of sponsors and volunteers.

Judy Front, Volunteer Monitoring Program

By working with the FOTR, it helps to improve my skills as a scientist and gives my graduate work new meaning. Knowing that what I am doing could potentially help save an ecosystem like the Rouge River is inspiring to me as a future scientist.

Carly Nowcki, Volunteer Monitoring Program

Your volunteer group has been amazing this year. All the work they have done with the native plantings and cleaning up around the water looks top notch. Spreading the sand and stone at the boat launch has really improved the area visually and, according to the users comments below, it functions much better to launch boats. Please let your volunteer group know that their work is extremely appreciated by parks staff as well as the visitors.

John Gundry, Landscape Architect, Wayne County Parks

Promoting restoration and stewardship of the Rouge River ecosystem since 1986.

FOTR Content

Rouge River Watershed Facts

The Rouge drains 467 square miles of land in the counties of Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw in southeast Michigan.

Contains over 400 lakes, impoundments, and ponds and 126 miles of major stream.

Inhabited by 1.35 million people. More than 50% urbanized.

FOTR is a Non-Profit at Work for You

Friends of the Rouge is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1986, whose mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the Rouge River watershed through stewardship, education, and collaboration.